New Jersey Allocates $5.5 Million to Strengthen Hospital-Based Anti-Violence Programs

The latest funding round, to commence in 2024, aims to expand the state's efforts in breaking the cycle of violence and aiding victims right from their hospital beds.

Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced today the availability of $5.5 million in grants aimed to bolster the New Jersey Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program (NJHVIP). These funds, sourced from the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Fund, will be distributed through a competitive grant process starting in 2024.

Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How:

Who: Governor Phil Murphy, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, and the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance (VIVA) are involved in this initiative.

What: A total of $5.5 million in grant money has been earmarked for NJHVIP, which aims to break the cycle of violence by connecting victims to essential services from their hospital bedside. This program is a part of New Jersey’s broader approach to violence intervention and prevention.

When: The grant awards for this funding cycle will begin in 2024. Meanwhile, applications for these grants must be submitted by 11:59 pm on October 18, 2023.

Where: The funding supports NJHVIP sites across the state of New Jersey. The Office of Violence Intervention and Prevention (OVIP) oversees the initiative.

Why: The grant aims to invest in a proven program that has been successful in reducing violence and helping victims recover. The fund also serves as a reinvestment into communities affected by cannabis criminalization.

How: The funding comes from the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Fund and will be distributed through a competitive grant process.

Background and Context:

Entering its fifth year, NJHVIP has been successful in establishing partnerships between hospitals and community-based organizations. Initially launched in 2020, it supported nine hospital-community partnerships and expanded to 11 programs as of January 2023. To date, the Murphy Administration has made more than $45 million in federal and state funding available for these programs.

“Through the New Jersey Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program, our Administration is making progress on our commitment to creating a safer state for all New Jerseyans,” Governor Murphy said.

Patricia Teffenhart, Executive Director of VIVA, also emphasized the importance of such programs by stating, “By bringing together medical and community-based violence intervention teams that put victims at the center of service, their work supports the kind of healing that helps put victims on the road to recovery and a path to safety.”

Program Features:

NJHVIP functions as a comprehensive system where teams of medical staff, social workers, and community health workers collaborate to provide a range of services for victims and their families. These services range from crisis intervention and conflict mediation to mental health and substance use interventions.

For those interested in applying, the Department of Law and Public Safety has released a Notice of Availability of Funds (NOAF). Applications are due by October 18, 2023, with a maximum award of $995,000 per project. An informational webinar is scheduled for September 29, 2023.

This latest round of funding is a testament to the state’s commitment to mitigating the effects of violent crime. Under the leadership of Attorney General Platkin and Governor Murphy, the state aims to use every resource available to reduce violence and improve community safety.